"On your left" - What does this mean to you?

[sspoor]

I'd love some feedback from you wise ladies before I do my organized cycling rally tomorrow morning. I'm referring to the charity rides that are so popular in the summertime.

Last weekend I was participating in one of these rides. In Texas it's often necessary for the rides to utilize two lane undivided roads with some car traffic in order to get riders out of town and into the country. Unfortunately, this is usually going on while riders are still fairly bunched up and slower riders are mixed in with faster riders.

I was climbing a hill early in the ride, passing riders as I went and announcing "passing on your left" as I approached them. Then I came up behind two men who were riding next to each other with one hugging the center road line. They were chatting away and not moving very fast. I saw this well in advance and hollered "on your left." Neither man reacted in the least. I continued to approach them from behind and tried another call out. Again, no reaction. The only way for me to pass these guys was to swing WAY out into the lane of oncoming car traffic (with a blind hill ahead). I didn't have the option of splitting them or passing on the right because they were not holding their lines. I finally swung out and passed as quickly as I could on the left. As I'm passing, the guy who wouldn't give way sped up as if to block my ability to pull back in to the line of bike riders. My acceleration was stronger than his and I got around. I'm sure I was muttering under my breath when I passed him but I don't think I said anything inflammatory.

Later in the ride, we were on a country road with almost no chance of encountering car traffic. I approached behind the same two guys and pulled way out to the left to pass them again. This time the guy intentionally moved into my passing lane in order to push me over as far as possible without actually running me off the road. Again I just blew by him, but I couldn't believe he'd do something so blatant.

So, after that long story, my question is this. Is it reasonable to expect riders to move over and give you a safe passing lane on the left when you give them fair warning and there is room for them to move over? I thought this was basic cycling ettiquette but I'm open to the opinions of others.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think. Oh, and yes, I do know that his behavior is actually illegal in the state of Texas. Cyclists on a two lane road and supposed to ride single file as far to the right as possible.

Thanks guys!

Susan in Dallas

[HappyTexasMom]

I usually ride as far to the right as is reasonably possible, anyway, so if I hear it, to me it means "I'm coming up on your left, now is not a time to veer over or decide to make a sudden left turn". If I were riding two abreast, I would switch to single file, or closer together, whatever I thought made the most sense in the situation.

The fact that that person would speed up is petty and rude. The fact that he would actually move over and actively block you is even worse. I'm appalled that someone would act like this.

[Biciclista]

of course it is reasonable to expect people to give you room .
but he didn't. SO you too would be breaking the law crossing the yellow line to pass him. At that point, if it were me, I probably would pass them on the right (announcing it) to get around them.

[denda]

"On your left" to me means someone is passing on your left. I will either move to the right a little or hold my line.

[sarahspins]

I've had two "on your left" incidents that left me pretty convinced that inexperienced cyclists (and walkers!!) don't know what it means.

Case 1: Country road with center lane marking, couple is out cycling.. they were riding one behind the other on the right side of the road, until the rear cyclist glanced back and saw I was approaching (I was about 100 yards back). Instead of staying where he was, I presume that he moved up along side his partner to let her know I was coming up... however he did NOT move back... they rode two abreast as I approached and didn't make any sign of moving. I shouted out "on your left" when I was about 20 feet back (I was going quite a bit faster than they were, so that should have been just enough time for them to react stupidly and correct) and the guy MOVED LEFT, essentially blocking me from passing without going over the yellow line... WTH?! Now, since there was obviously no oncoming traffic, I did just cross that yellow line and pass on the left.. and I looked back and Mr Stupid had moved over to the right again. I'm not sure what he was trying to do - make me pass inbetween them? (there was enough room, technically, but both he and his partner were somewhat wobbly looking riders, so I felt it better not to take a chance with that one).

Case 2: Hike and bike trail at the park. Path is about 6' wide, paved. Couple is walking hand in hand taking up most of the path.. I slowed down a bit, said "on your left" as I approached, and the man stopped in his tracks, and stayed where he was (left side of the path) the lady also stopped, but turned around, put both arms out (???) essentially blocking the whole path and I ended up off the path and off my bike (not a fall exactly, but no traction in gravel I pretty much skid to a sideways stop and hopped off). She apologized profusely, but it still left me thinking that people just don't have a clue what proper passing entails... it's not like I expected them to hightail it out of my way (just moving over a bit to the right would have given me more than enough room to pass safely), but to STOP and effectively block my way completely? Uh, no....

I certainly know to move to the right when I hear "on your left" and NOT to look back or swerve, or stop, or do anything equally LAME... it's not hard?

[tongue_tied]

I thought "on your left" meant that you should move over and expect for me to pass you, but some people that I've talked to say it's just an announcement that you would be passing on the left and it doesn't necessarily mean that they should be moving out of your way. In Chicago, it seems as if people will intentionally ignore your "on the left", whatever it means. At any rate, if someone says "on your left" to me, I get outta the way.

[e.e.cummings]

There are some people who just don't like be passed and they get competitive when it happens (guys more than girls?). It is like when you are driving, behind someone slow and as soon as you try to pass, they speed up or make it difficult for you. I guess these people are everywhere.

On our bike path (or most places I imagine), the etiquette is if you hear someone coming up from behind, keep to your right if you think they want to pass. People are not supposed to right two by two, but some do anyway. They will normally go single file when they hear someone coming, but some die-hards just will not give it up.

Sounds like you have a couple of die-hards (or blow-hards!) on your hands. It's annoying, isn't it! Don't let them spoil your ride. I have run it a few of these. I keep smiling, am courteous, if my initial warning (bell ring or comment) is ignored, I state loudly 'hello, can I get around you please' when other efforts fail - I think they realize they are going look like real jerks if they don't let me pass since I am being pretty civilized about it.

[Biciclista]

Sounds like you have a couple of die-hards (or blow-hards!) on your hands. It's annoying, isn't it! Don't let them spoil your ride. I have run it a few of these. I keep smiling, am courteous, if my initial warning (bell ring or comment) is ignored, I state loudly 'hello, can I get around you please' when other efforts fail - I think they realize they are going look like real jerks if they don't let me pass since I am being pretty civilized about it.

+++++

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I fitness walk as well as cycle.
Whenever I'm walking and I hear a cyclist coming up behind me and calling out "On your left!"- all I usually hear is "(mumble mumble) LEFT!!" And I have very good hearing. I never had a clue what "On your left" meant until I started cycling. To me it's no wonder at all that pedestrians and walkers tend to obediently jump left when they hear "(mumble mumble) LEFT!"

I myself prefer to call out loudly and cheerfully ahead of time "Coming up behind you!" or just even "Good Morning!"- and I ring my bike bell too. The people ahead, no matter what their method of locomotion, always then look back at me and can see I'm approaching on their left side to pass. It's always good not to startle elderly walkers, too. What peeves me is the people with their earbuds in who don't hear a THING no matter how loudly I call out as I'm approaching. They get scared and jump as I pass them. Oh well.

[MM_QFC!]

When I hear 'passing on your left' or the like, and I'm riding as far to the right side of the road as is safe for me, I do not change position at all. I will not ride into glass or hazardous gutter situations, as it's the responsibility of the passing cyclist to not only call out their presence and intentions, but to also check the road conditions (meaning traffic in both directions, any obstacles up ahead, etc) to ensure that they can safely pass the cyclist ahead AND move back into the cycling lane without cutting off the cyclist they just passed.
When I first started road riding, I was lucky enough to ride with, listen to and learn from generous teachers/mentors who were learned veterans of ultra-marathon cycling events, including RAAM riders, women's TdF, national downhill champion...I still hear their advice when I ride!
I learned that the rider who wants to pass bears all of the responsibility and they should not expect that riders in front will get off the road, move over into unsafe conditions, slow down or anything else in order to assist them in passing. When I rode in my first organized century however, I did experience lots of faster riders and pacelines wanting to just ride in the middle of the traffic lane pretty much all of the time, blowing past any/all on their right whether or not there were cars back and yelling 'on your left' insistently at me, so that I felt intimidated. After these situations I asked more experienced riders and cycling coaches too; everyone essentially said the same thing: if you're riding as far to the right as is safe for you and holding a steady line, you do not have to do anything differently and consider the call of "on your left" to be an alert so that you do not pull out into the lane in order to pass anyone yourself, until it's clear.
Most of the states that I've done rides in stipulate single file on roadways, but I see otherwise all of the time. It's pretty dang hard to get past them when you've got 2 roadhogs ahead of you, as you had and I probably would've called out 'on your left' a couple of times, then snuggled up behind them and called out a polite request to allow me to please pass them safely. It sounds like, from your account, that they were fully aware of your presence though and it's outrageous that they'd create a situation where you felt as though you had to go on the other side of the road and on a blind hill - yikes! - in order to get around them. Some people have no brains and no heart and it seems as though you encountered the cycling idiot jackpot there!
Tailwinds!
Mary

[HappyTexasMom]

I shouted out "on your left" when I was about 20 feet back (I was going quite a bit faster than they were, so that should have been just enough time for them to react stupidly and correct) and the guy MOVED LEFT, essentially blocking me from passing without going over the yellow line... WTH?! Now, since there was obviously no oncoming traffic, I did just cross that yellow line and pass on the left.. and I looked back and Mr Stupid had moved over to the right again.

You know, it just occurred to me...often times when I'm riding, all I really hear is "LEFT!". I know what they said/mean, but with the wind blowing in my ears (unless I've specifically turned my head to listen behind me), that's all I hear. If someone is inexperienced and not familiar with standard etiquette, it could be that they think you are telling them to move to the left (as in, a directive towards them: "LEFT!").

[Biciclista]

you encountered the cycling idiot jackpot there!

Mary

+++ lol

[Kalidurga]

It does sound as if what you were dealing with was just a jerk who didn't feel like being passed.

It's rare that I'm ever able to pass anyone on the road, so my experience with this is on multi-use trails. People, for whatever reason, are not always conscious of what's coming up behind them and will very often react with confusion when they hear any kind of noise behind them. You have to give them time to react and then respond. Similar to what Lisa does, I've found that calling out "Bicycle behind you!" in a loud voice when I am still fairly far behind gives them a chance to be startled, look around, and then decide where to go. I can then soft-pedal my way through on whichever side they concede, with a "hello" or "thank you" as I pass. Haven't had an incident since I began this practice.

As for doofii like that guy... I dunno, maybe a stick in his spokes as you go by? (I'm kidding, really! )

[five one]

This is one of the main reasons I rarely do organized rides anymore. I'm not very social when I ride anyway. I like to concentrate on what I'm doing on the bike (and what other riders are doing around me) and would rather chat at rest stops. Even on country roads with little car traffic. I think I must be in the minority though. Why do people need to be side by side talking ALL the time?

The older I get, the crankier I become. OMG! I'm turning into my father!

[MartianDestiny]

"On your left" IMO, means "please hold your line and speed so I may make a safe pass, thank you"

IF bikers happen to be side-by-side, riding erratically, or really hogging a lane that should otherwise accommodate two riders , then yes, I feel "On your left" takes on the added meaning of "Please single up or tighten up or move right for a moment so I can have room to pass you".

I was passed by a jerk last week that seemed to feel "On your left" meant "run your $4k carbon bike off the ledge and get the heck outta my way despite the fact that we're in a no passing zone and you are going the speed limit". Needless to say I didn't budge and the fool nearly ran headon into a kid while passing me in the wrong lane when it was unsafe to do so. Of course he then slowed down to 7 mph and made me pass him

So, I don't think "on your left" means you have to give up your line, and certainly not immediately, but out of courtesy you should do so if needed as soon as it is safe and practical to do so. I expect that's what you thought it meant

Edit: like others I'm more careful in my choice of words and timing with non-cyclists. I'll use things like "Bike Back", or "Passing, *pause, 1-1 thousand*, Left" (gives them time to digest passing before they hear left, at which point they've already started moving right). And I'll slow and give more warning if it's actually a situation where I need someone to yield space to me rather than just hold course since non-cyclists tend not to process/respond to "on your left" as quickly as cyclists do, even if they know what it means. I do have higher expectations of cyclists knowing my intentions, but I've learned to always expect the unexpected